Virginia Social Worker: I Was Fired Over My Concealed Carry Permit

UPDATE: Storm Durham did a Facebook live video, where she gave her backstory, her upbringing, and said that most of the negative comments are from people who she doesn’t know at all—typical of social media. She also addressed the accusation that she and her boyfriend are “psychopaths,” who brought firearms to her former office. It looks like troll bait.

She also detailed more about why she was fired. Besides the "safety risk" regarding her concealed carry permit, she was cited for wearing loafers at training and not closing a predetermined amount of cases in her employee evaluation. She had to close three cases a day, which she did, but was out due to a concussion and broke her leg soon afterwards. She added that she addressed and corrected the citations listed against her, which Durham said were bogus to begin with.

As for the other allegation that she was really was fired because her boyfriend brought a gun to her office, Durham said it's false, adding that he’s only been on the property twice. He helped her carry her bag in when she was on crutches due to her broken leg.

Durham told her supervisors that she was a concealed carry holder when they asked her if there was any domestic violence in her home when they found out she and her boyfriend are gun owners. She suspects they found out through social media; she’s a brand ambassador for hunting and fishing.

This is not a confirmation of her story, just a video providing more details from her side of it. We'll be keeping you updated if this was a gross violation of constitutional rights or if we're being taken for a ride.

A Facebook post is causing a stir, where a Virginia social worker was apparently fired for having a concealed carry permit. Storm Durham posted on Facebook yesterday describing how three Roanoke police officers escorted her out of the office upon termination. She said some of the officers had accompanied her on child services visits. Durham was also not allowed to use the bathroom on her way out due to safety concerns. On Twitter, Durham said that she’s seeking lawyers to fight this.

I was fired today. From Roanoke City Social Services, serving as a damn good social worker. I was fired for having a concealed carry permit. Not the gun, the permit. I was escorted by 3 city police officers bc I am a "safety risk to the building"

“I have a concealed carry permit. I own guns. I hunt. I target shoot. I represent Women hunters and outdoorswomen. Does that make me a criminal? Does that make me a safety risk to others? A big enough safety risk to be escorted by three Roanoke City Police officers?” asked Durham of what appears to be a humiliating ordeal. “So scary and threatening that I need to be treated like a criminal?” she added.

Durham said that she never brought her firearm to the office, and that she bought one for self-protection being a survivor of sexual assault.

“I am an American, a gun owner, and a proud sponsor of hunting across America, and I, nor my lawyers, judges, or support systems will rest until something is done until someone answers for punishing me and taking away my constitutional right,” she declared.

Well, if true, this is quite an egregious story about one’s constitutional rights being violated. At the same time, we're still waiting on confirmation about this story. These are serious allegations. We'll keep you updated.

I was fired today. I was fired by a Department of Virginia… Social Services the people who are supposed to be there to keep kids safe and develop families into better people for each other. I was fired today due to having a concealed carry permit. Was my gun on me? No. Has it ever been on me during my job, or visits, or anything related to work? No. When I told them that it has never been on me during work, what did they say? “How do we know that.” Search me. Do I have a criminal record? No. Do I, (yes the 22 year old blonde who is 5’2 and about 140 pounds who loves everything Disney, pink, and basic), come across as a threat to you? If you know me I’m pretty sure you’ve never been shaking in your boots due to my vary presence. But today, I was escorted by not one, not two, but three Roanoke City Police Officers to my office where I packed up months of thank you cards, and pictures of kids I’ve helped. I was escorted by officers who have been with me on visits where I placed a child with a relative due to risks, or when I was hugged by a child because they finally felt safe again. I was told to pack immediately and that I could not even use the bathroom to take a minute for myself because of my “serious safety concerns to the building.” I have a concealed carry permit. I own guns. I hunt. I target shoot. I represent Women hunters and outdoorswomen. Does that make me a criminal? Does that make me a safety risk to others? A big enough safety risk to be escorted by three Roanoke City Police officers? So scary and threatening that I need to be treated like a criminal? To be humiliated and looked down upon for owning a gun? For legally having a gun, registering that gun, and having the appropriate documentation for that gun?

The Constitution of the United States of America. The one document that has followed us for years, and will continue to be the power resource of all we do as Americans. The second amendment: the right to bear arms. The Roanoke City Department of Social Services, CPS investigations, Don Goss, Jenny Alexander, and the entire human resources department should be ashamed. They should be publically known that they did this. That they fired a innocent, clean record, white, female, college graduate who works for a living for legally registering, having, and owning a gun. That was NEVER on their property or in their building. A gun that was never used for evil, but as protection as I am a survivor or sexual assault. Protection for being that white, 22 year old, female. I am an American. A gun owner. And a proud sponsor of hunting across America, and I, nor my lawyers, judges, or support systems will rest until something is done. Until someone answers for punishing me and taking away my constitutional right.

Editor's Note: This post has been updated to reflect the some of the uncertainties concerning Durham's story. For now, this is merely a post about what she's alleged against the City of Roanoke She did a Facebook Live event earlier today. We'll keep you updated.